Commencement 2009

At Swarthmore's 137th commencement on May 31, President Alfred H. Bloom awarded honorary degrees to Mary Schmidt Campbell '69, dean of NYU's Tisch School of the Arts and professor and chair of art and public policy, and James C. Hormel '55, a philanthropist devoted to social justice and human rights and the first openly gay ambassador in U.S. history. Bloom himself received an honorary degree on the occasion of his departure from the College after 18 years as president. In addition, 384 undergraduates were awarded degrees at the ceremony, held at the Scott Outdoor Amphitheater.

Of the 384 graduates, 364 received the Bachelor of Arts degree and 30 the Bachelor of Science in engineering degree. Ten had double degrees. Highest honors were awarded to 14, 62 received high honors, and 36 received honors. The senior class speaker, as voted by his classmates, was Sonny Sidhu '09, who graduated with a major in film and media studies and dual minors in history and religion.

Maurice Eldridge '61, vice president for college and community relations, addressed the graduating class at Baccalaureate services on May 30. The Baccalaureate is the spiritual component of Commencement weekend, featuring the inspirational remarks of a friend of the College. Eldridge was followed by Professor of Spanish Aurora Camacho de Schmidt, who delivered the Last Collection. Speakers at this address, an assembly-style gathering, are chosen by the senior class.